Remembering the happy tears of Jana Novotna and a duchess

Remembering the happy tears of Jana Novotna and a duchess

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Jana Novotna, Tennis Player, Wimbledon Champion 1998

1968 - 2017

It was the ultimate tennis fairytale and the happy tears shared with a royal friend that we all wanted to see. When Jana Novotna won Wimbledon in 1998, it was the joyful ending to a sporting story with a duchess at its heart. As we mourn the passing of a tennis great, let's remember those happy tears.


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Jana Novotna's win at Wimbledon was one of the all time great moments on that famous Centre Court. Just five years earlier, she had broken down at the same spot after losing the 1993 Women's Singles Final to Steffi Graf after taking a seemingly unassailable lead. She couldn't hold back her tears and the Duchess of Kent, who at that time always presented the trophies on the final Saturday, threw an arm round her and let her weep on her shoulder. It was a moving sight and one that went down in sporting legend. The duchess told Novotna that she would win it. When she lost again in 1997, to Martina Hingis, there were no tears but more advice from the duchess who this time said another final appearance would be ''third time lucky''.  And she was right.

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 In 1998 her moment came. She beat Natalie Tauziat of France to claim the trophy she wanted more than any other while millions got to see the fairytale ending they had dreamed of ever since the tears of 1993. She walked forward to accept the famous Venus Rosewater Dish from the Duchess of Kent and this time the tears were of pure joy.

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Jana Novotna died on November 19th 2017 at the age of 49 from cancer. The Chief Executive of the WTA, Steve Simon, described her as ''an inspiration both on and off court to anyone who had the opportunity to know her....her star will always shine brightly in the history of the WTA''. The magic that she brought, both on and off court, will always be remembered at Wimbledon where her love of the game and her passion for the tournament produced tears, both sad and happy, that turned into a royal legend.

Photo credit: WTA Twitter

Queen's 70th Wedding Anniversary: the Queen's wedding dress

Queen's 70th Wedding Anniversary: the Queen's wedding dress

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What happens when you put together ration books, a row about silk worms and a 15th century Italian masterpiece? Why, one of the most famous royal wedding dresses of all, that's what. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary today. Seven decades may have passed since the world first got a glimpse of that gown but it still retains its power to wow. On this special day, here's a look back at the Queen's wedding dress....


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It was, of course, designed by Norman Hartnell, the British couturier who has been mentioned so often in recent weeks he might just be the most talked about fashionista of 2017 despite passing away almost forty years ago. The Streatham boy made good was already a firm royal favourite when he got the commission everyone wanted in 1947 but if you think this frock was an easy win for him then think again.

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First of all, Hartnell had to submit several designs to the Palace for approval. We all know that brides, particularly royal brides, want a big say in how they look but despite all his confidence, his royal warrant and his reputation as one of the designers of the day, Hartnell had a queen consort, a queen dowager and a queen regnant in waiting all casting their eye over his ideas. The one the Royal Family picked was inspired by Boticelli's Primavera, the rebirth of spring. Remember, those great PR brains, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, were involved in this. They knew how much this wedding meant to a country trying to get back on its feet after the long, hard years of war. Their bride, Princess Elizabeth, wasn't just to look regal. She was a symbol of hope and the frock had to fit.

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Having got that box ticked, Hartnell then had to make the dress and being as his royal clients only gave him the go ahead in August 1947 for the November 20th wedding, there was no time to lose. So far, so nerve wracking. But then the famous row broke out about where the silk had come from. Just two years after the end of World War Two there was much anxiety and a paper furore when it was suggested that the worms making the material might have links to Japan, an enemy in the conflict. A public announcement that Chinese silkworms based at Lullingstone Castle in Kent were busy doing whatever it is they need to do to make the fabric led to widespread relief. Meanwhile, the weavers at Winterthur Silks near Dunfermiline were turning it into the material that would shimmer into the Abbey.

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 As all that was going on, women around Britain were trying to do their bit to help the princess who had to contend with rationing. At the time, fabric was still limited and Elizabeth had to save up her coupons like everyone else. However, she received a flood of ration coupons to help her obtain the fabric she needed from generous women who wanted to help her look her best. The only problem was that giving someone your ration coupons was against the law. They all had to be returned to sender although the government intervened and gave the future queen a few extra clothing coupons to help make a fitting frock.

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She needed them. The gown itself featured a heart shaped neckline, fitted waist with a dropped V shape and panelled skirt. Attached to the shoulders was a fifteen foot court train made of tulle and embroidered with flowers. There was also a tulle veil. Hartnell had it decorated with crystals and 10,000 seed pearls which were imported from the USA.

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The result was kept under lock and key at his design studio until the day before the wedding when it was taken to Buckingham Palace. Rumour has it that Hartnell even had a member of staff sleep at his offices to stop anyone breaking in and getting so much as a glimpse of the design. It was worth the wait. The dress was an instant hit and credited with inspiring a change in bridal fashions. It was displayed around the UK and has been on exhibition several times since. The Queen has worn many outfits in her record breaking reign but her wedding dress remains one of the most special. As she celebrates her Platinum Wedding Anniversary, it still appears as magical as it did on November 20th 1947.

Queen's 70th Wedding Anniversary: the Queen as a bride

Queen's 70th Wedding Anniversary: the Queen as a bride

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All brides are beautiful but some linger in the memory forever. The Queen is in that category. OK, it helps that she's the Queen and millions watched her wedding while billions have no doubt seen the photos since. And we're all getting wedding excitement again as the Platinum anniversary of her marriage to the Duke of Edinburgh arrives this November 20th. So to celebrate that very special moment, here's a look back at the Queen as a bride.....

The Veil

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For simplicity's sake, let's start at the top and work our way down. The Queen's wedding veil was tulle and worn back from her face. It gave way to a fifteen foot court train, attached at the bride's shoulders, made from silk tulle and with embroidery including pearls and crystals.

The Tiara

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There was plenty of family and lots of drama about the tiara that the Queen wore to her wedding. The diamond fringe diadem was made for her granny, Queen Mary, and had started as a wedding present itself. When Mary married the future George V in 1893 she received a diamond necklace from her new hubby's granny - who just happened to be Queen Victoria. She later had Garrards turn that into the tiara. She passed the piece on to her own daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, when she became queen consort in 1936. The then Princess Elizabeth chose it for her wedding but may have had second thoughts after it famously broke on the morning of her marriage and had to be hastily repaired.

The Dress

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Created by Norman Hartnell, this is about as famous a royal wedding gown as you will find. It was made of ivory silk, spun by worms at Lullingstone Castle in Kent and woven by Winterthur in Dunfermline. Hartnell said he was inspired by the painting Primavera by Botticelli - the return of spring, rather apt for a gown worn by a future monarch marrying in front of a nation still recovering from the harsh times of war. The gown has full length sleeves, fitted bodice and heart shaped neckline. After the wedding it was displayed in cities across the UK.

Jewellery

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When you're a royal bride, you don't just stop at a tiara. Oh no. There are all kinds of expectations and family heirlooms to contend with and the Queen managed it all marvellously. We know she loves pearls and for her wedding she wore a double strand necklace with enough historical punch for three royal nuptials. One strand of the pearls is believed to have belonged to Queen Anne, the last Stuart monarch of Britain, while the other belonged to Caroline of Ansbach, consort to King George II. The pearls were passed down from Queen Victoria and given to Princess Elizabeth by her father on her wedding day. The earrings are made of pearls and diamonds and once belonged to George III's daughter, Mary, who ended up as Duchess of Edinburgh - the title waiting for the new royal bride after her marriage. Of course, Princess Elizabeth wore her diamond engagement ring, made by Antrobus using a stone from a tiara belonging to Prince Philip's mother, Alice. And she left the Abbey with perhaps her most precious piece of jewellery - a wedding ring fashioned from Welsh gold, continuing a tradition of the House of Windsor.

The Flowers

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The Queen carried a bouquet of white orchids, three varieties in total, all grown in the UK. Amongst those exotic blooms was a sprig of myrtle, continuing a tradition started by Queen Victoria who carried some in her own wedding bouquet who had received a cutting from Prince Albert's grandmother and planted it at Osborne House where it flourished. The bouquet, created by Martin Longman, went missing before the official photos were taken hence the bloomless bride in some of the snaps.

The Shoes

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How forties are these? The satin crossover sandals were made by Edward Rayne and if the rest of the  outfit is all about a future queen getting married, these are all about a young bride enjoying the biggest day of her life. The company originally made theatre shoes and went on to be a royal favourite with Margaret and Diana also using them.

Royal Platinum Wedding: Congratulations to the Queen and Prince Philip on 70 Years of Marriage

Royal Platinum Wedding: Congratulations to the Queen and Prince Philip on 70 Years of Marriage

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''In all essentials, exactly the same as it would have been for any cottager who might be married this afternoon''.. That's what the Archbishop of York said to Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten about their marriage as they wed on November 20th 1947 at Westminster Abbey. Plenty raised an eyebrow at that sentiment then and since. But in many ways, Cyril Garbet was right. For any marriage will always come down to the two people who enter into it. It might start in splendour but it relies on the hard work and unending hope of those saying 'I do' if it is to continue in glory. The Queen and Prince Philip, seven decades on, have proved that love really does conquer all.

Today, Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in British history, and Prince Philip, the longest serving consort, will celebrate and be celebrated for what is a pretty phenomenal achievement. Few couples get to the milestone that is 70 years of marriage. Yes, good health and good care have helped a lot but so has this couple's determination to make their marriage work. They are clearly just as happy in one another's company as they were on that cold November day when they became husband and wife. Their affection for one another and rock solid bond is a huge part of the modern Monarchy's success. It has been a constant in the evolution of the House of Windsor and a solid foundation that has kept it stable even when crises began to threaten it.

To mark The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh's 70th Wedding Anniversary, new photographic portraits have been released worldwide. pic.twitter.com/Jl6elndhFe

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 18, 2017

Royal marriages don't have to succeed. It's perhaps the greatest irony of Elizabeth and Philip's long and successful marriage that their children have, sometimes, struggled so hard to find matrimonial happiness themselves. There is an assumption that once a monarch or sovereign in waiting has said 'I do' they are bound to their spouse for all time. We know that isn't true, Regal marriages fall apart. For one to succeed in the way that this one has is a true achievement.

The marriage that began on November 20th 1947 has allowed both partners to follow the paths they believe to be right. The Queen has made no secret of the support she takes from her husband, calling him famously ''quite simply my strength and my stay all these years''. Philip, in turn, has been a perfect consort, always one step behind but with enough ideas and energy to make a difference in the areas that matter. Elizabeth and Philip haven't just smiled and waved all these years. The Duke of Edinburgh has become renowned for work that has supported young people, helped the environment and promoted arts and culture. The Queen has transformed herself from an unexpected heiress to the very model of a modern monarch. Neither could have been what they are without the other.

Their marriage also clearly brings them great personal joy. The delight they take in each other, the pride they feel for one another is clear for all to see. Despite their sometimes frosty reputations, they also clearly adore their children, grand children and great grandchildren. They have shaped a royal family for the 21st century and continue to be its mainstay even now.

Their marriage has clearly brought joy to them and to those that they love. It has provided inspiration to many who only watch from afar. And, despite being a dynastic necessity and a public property in some ways, it is still clearly first and foremost the promise made between two people in Westminster Abbey all those years ago. Cottagers is a word from another time. The world has moved on - it is bound to, seven decades have passed. But the reality of life remains the same. Like every other couple marrying that day they have faced joy and sadness and learned to support one another through it all. For marriage is growing comfortable with one another, learning to walk away from the annoyances, loving when it is the hardest thing to do.  The Archbishop of York was right about this one and the couple he said it to have shown that and then some. Congratulations to them, now and always. Their marriage is a celebration we should all treasure. 

Photo credit: Royal Family Twitter and Matt Holyoak/ Camera Press.

Royal Platinum Wedding: the look of love as the Queen and Prince Philip celebrate 70 years of marriage

Royal Platinum Wedding: the look of love as the Queen and Prince Philip celebrate 70 years of marriage

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He looks like he can't believe his luck and she looks like she's pretending to ignore him. It was probably the same seventy years ago when the first decided to get married. In a new set of photos to mark their 70th wedding anniversary, the Queen and Prince Philip look like any couple in love. Which is why their wedding anniversary and all it celebrates is just really rather marvellous all round.

The new pictures were taken by Matt Holyoak of Camera Press and they're a very modern take on a very traditional story. The Queen and Prince Philip have become masters of the completely at ease with one another and what are you looking at official portrait and they've given us another set to mark their special day.

This is a couple so happy with one another that the camera just can't lie. The portraits, taken at Windsor Castle, celebrate a marriage that began on November 20th 1947 and has broken every royal  record going. It was said that Elizabeth and Philip regard ''People Will Say We're in Love'' as their song. Well... these pictures certainly tell on them..... people will say they're in love.

Photo credit: Matt Holyoak/ Camera Press.

Royal Platinum Wedding: the bride, through veils of time

Royal Platinum Wedding: the bride, through veils of time

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A princess, a queen in waiting, royal history in the making. Elizabeth was many things on her wedding day, November 20th 1947, but above all she was a bride. She was on show to the world and being scrutinised by millions but throughout that day there were moments just for her. Seventy years may have passed but some survive, caught on camera while the bride's thoughts were caught elsewhere. As the Queen and Prince Philip prepare to celebrate their Platinum Wedding Anniversary, here is Elizabeth the bride, through the veils of time...





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Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, the princess who always kept calm and carried on, shows just the smallest hint of nerves as she arrives at Westminster Abbey on November 20th 1947 with her father, King George VI.

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A moment of history as George VI prepares to walk with the princess through the ancient Abbey at Westminster, among their ancestors, past the walls that have witnessed some of the most important royal moments of all. King and heir, father and daughter. 

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Elizabeth and Philip married in the morning but the grey November day and the solemnity of the Abbey throw shadows all around the bride as she walks towards her groom.

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King George takes a step back as his daughter stands beside her husband at the altar. The emotion of their faces is hidden but the scene is still magical.

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The happy couple prepare to begin the next phase of their lives. Now husband and wife, Philip and Elizabeth get ready to face the world. At the heart of it all, a beautiful bride, caught forever in the veils of time.